Facilitating a workshop  Neither over nor under facilitate – strike a balance  Deal with disruptive behaviour Watch out for those whole will dominate and sabotage – deal with them by involving not isolating them Watch out for those whole will dominate and sabotage – deal with them by involving not isolating them Use group agreements, clear guidelines on process and time keeping Use group agreements, clear guidelines on process and time keeping Get group to self regulate Get group to self regulate  Build rapport but show favouritism or bias  Document the session – use a scribe, flipchart etc  Train and incorporate the group into the facilitation process if possible  Run a session on the use of consensus techniques if you feel comfortable with it and it is appropriate  Good facilitation is key

Facillitating a workshop  Top tips – 10 - list them and get them in pairs to demonstrate them in groups  Explain structure of workshop  Spend time establishing ground-rules, expectations, names etc.  Make plenty of opportunites for questions from participants  Ask questions in preference to making statement  Try to use ‘ open ’ rather than ‘ closed ’ question - give examples of these  Be aware of your own role. Offer guidance but don't dominate. Be honest about your perspective  Be flexible to change plan if its not working, but be confident in your manner  Smile and enjoy it and your participants will too

Facillitating a workshop A good facilitator needs:  Little emotional investment in the issues discussed.  Energy and attention for the job at hand.  Understanding of tasks for the meeting as well as long-term goals of the group.  Good listening skills to be able to understand everyone's viewpoint properly.  Confidence that good solutions will be found and consensus can be achieved.  Assertiveness that is not overbearing  Respect for all participants and interest in what each individual has to offer.  Clear thinking – observation of the whole group.  Attend both to the content of the discussion and the process – and emotions

Workshop roles  All optional or merge-able:  Facilitator  Co-facilitator (for large meetings)  Minute taker  Time keeper  Speaker-hand taker  Welcomer-doorkeeper  Vibes watcher!

Workshop planning Key issues  Find out about the group and what they want  Have a clear aim, or set of aims for session  Select techniques relavent to the aims of the workshop  Don't overcram with information  Have clear and precise information  Be varied (share facilitation - use films, quotes, images, physical activities etc.)‏

Moving forward  Use concrete examples and give resources for people to follow up  Aim to arrange ongoing work and/or future contact between people – think of how this can be done  Ask for feedback - remember you are learning too  Offer to send people further hand-outs or resources  Make space to share info about upcoming events or people's exisiting projects

Moving forward Some issues  What is the difference between information/facts and a facilitation?  How do we empower rather than indoctrinate or alienate?  How do we recognise and use the diversity in workshop settings?  How (and should we) contain our own perspectives on issues and what change is?

Exercise in groups Practice designing a workshop